Rescue Workers Lives Risked for Hikers

By Jennifer Kramer
February 19, 2007

Upon watching Fox News this morning featuring the rescue of three hikers found after being lost in an avalanche during a hike in Mt. Hood Oregon today, I was enfuriated with the fact that innocent and heroic rescue workers had to risk their own lives to search for three people who went hking knowing the conditions and risks associated. Hiking in Mt. Hood during these winter conditions is a death wish and they should be left on their own to suffer the consequences of an avalance or other natural disaster occuring in that terrain.

Rescue workers are needed for everyday accidents such as automobile accidents, fires and poison control situations but when humans put their own lives at risk by death defying stunts such as this one why are other civilians forced to put their own lives at risk in turn risking the lives of their families and friends who depend on them if they too get caught in the avalanche or blizzard.

Driving a vehicle of any sort requires a drivers license. Operating heavy machinery such as an airplane or navy craft requires extensive training and a license and even scuba divers must pass a test before going swimming in deep waters observing the natural habitats of ocean creatures but anybody can venture into the harsh winter wonderland mountains of Oregon with zero prior knowledge of how to ski or hike.